Field notebook

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon as I walked into Highland Par. Highland Park is located on the Brooklyn-Queens border also known as the Cypress Hills part of East New York. It is the most visited park in Brooklyn because of its size and amount of activities offered. The weather was fantastic so families were out enjoying their day, and taking advantage of the last few summer days.

            One thing that caught my attention as I walked in was a crash on the side of the fence in the entrance. The park is near a very busy highway, the Jackie Robinson Expressway where drivers tend to speed a lot on. Its curves are very dangerous, so it worried me a little because of the traffic of kids daily in the park and the accidents that can be caused. Besides this minor defect, everything looked so live in the park. The carnival is brought here every year and it gets super busy in there. I noticed children getting on rides while their parents took photos. Different games being played made children and adults as well become very cheerful. The smell of cotton candy and popcorn made me stop for a minute and grab one myself. The sound of laughter and the smiles on people’s faces made me feel so happy. I love to see the different emotions people portray.

            The park has been a recreational haven for residents of Brooklyn and Queens as well as others who come all the way to visit it. The park includes; football, basketball, baseball, and tennis field. Today there was a championship game of adult softball. The loud yelling and cheering of fans created a great vibe for the teams playing. Musical instruments were brought out and played. It felt so great seeing the community united supporting loved ones and having such a great time. As I walked further down along the park I observed kids running on the grass and drawing on the sidewalk with colorful chalk, which gave me flashbacks of when I was younger. Laughter of enjoyment were reflected on their faces as they went down the slides and pushed of the swings.

            One special place I love about this park is up the hill, where an old friend of mine died. I love coming to this place because it feels so close to him and our old memories. This area was conserved especially for him because he was so loved by many. A graffiti wall with his portrait and messages and signatures of loved ones reflects the art and contribution of a community. This place is always kept clean and full of flowers, its like an escape for many of us.